People are saying that the Cadières de Brandis are the guards of the entrance to the Gorges du Verdon. These dolomite rocks with a chaotic relief are called 'chairs' in the Provençal language. From the Cadières you have a beautiful view of the Verdon valley and the hamlet of Brandis.
Distance: 8 km.
Time: 3h30.
Grade: Moderate.
Type: Circular.
Gps Track: Yes.
Route description: Yes.
Wheelchair: Not suitable.
Dog: Allowed.
Height gain: 425 meters.
Trail: 100% unpaved.
Marking: Yellow dash & White-Red GR406.
Hiking shoes recommended.
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Provencal 'Chairs'.
From the Col des Lèques, the circuit of Cadières de Brandis first rises through a pine forest before continuing to climb along a dry southern slope to the plateau behind the Cadières. Once on the plateau you can leave the path and walk as far as possible from the rocks to the edge. Here you have a beautiful view of the Verdon valley. However, some caution is advisable if you step over the boulders because there are fairly deep slopes. You leave the plateau by La Tête de la Barre de la Sapée and in a chaos of stones you crawl through a natural "tunnel". The rest of the descent continues through the Chalonnet forest to get back to the starting point.
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If you leave the path to go to the edge of the Cadières some caution is required. Also be careful that you find your way back to the walking path because in the rugged landscape this is not always clear!
POI 1 - Cadières de Brandis.
The Cadières de Brandis consist of three large rocks in the shape of gigantic chairs ('cadière' means 'chair' in the Provence) and are an special geological phenomenon in the gorges of the Verdon. The origin of this limestone formation is not only due to erosion, it is more complex.
No additional information.
POI 2 - Reforestation.
The reforestation in the mountains began after the promulgation of a law in 1860 aimed at correcting the devastating power of mountain streams that caused major disasters in the Alps in 1856 and 1859. As a result, black pines from Austria were massively imported. The pine forest that you cross on the route was planted between 1878 and 1965.
No additional information.
